Carton-folding apparatus



I. SHAFER AND SMALL.

CARTON FOLDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, 1911.

Patented Mar. 14;, 1922.

a SHEETS-SHEET 1,

A IN ,ENTOR.

A TTORNEY APPLICATION F'ILED JUNE 10, w.

m mmal. 14,1922..

.6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l. SHAF ER AND 0. A. SMALL. CARTON FOLDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE l8. 1911. 4

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

I. SHAFER AND 0. A. SMALL.

CARTON FOLDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18. 1912.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

6 $HEETSSHEET 4- VIII/I/iII/IIII ATTORNEY" kin IQ. SHAFER AND C. A. SMALL.

CARTON FOLDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION TILED AUNE 1a, 1917.

Patented MM- 14, 1922 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

A TTORNE Y5. 1

I. SHAFER AND G. A. SMALL.

CARTON moms APPARATUS.

APPLICATIOH FILED JUNE l8, 19H. V v

Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

\ 6 SHEETSQSHEET 6 TE'S' f PAT 11m. SHAEE-R Ann GHABLEsAsMALL, or s m mnem cnnrromvm. i I

r CARTON-romaine ArrARe'DUs,

To all whom it concern:-

n it known thatlwe, IRA SHAF R and firmness A. SMAn citizens of the United titates, residing atSanDieg o, in the county :San Diego and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin, Carton Folding Apparatus, of which the following; a specification;

Our invention relatesjto an apparatus for folding cartons, more particularly, cartons of the conventional typeas illustrated herein andin which in somecasesan inner lining of parafiine or other paper is used inside of the-carton and the carton together with the paper therein is folded in position ready for ii lling, and the objects of our invention are:

first, to provide an apparatus for; folding the ordinary or conventional cartonblank with the inner lining in position. box form for fill ng; second, to provide an apparatus of tliis'class which operatesautomath cally throughout,, when coupled with the power for driving the samecthird, to provide an apparatus of this class which is ad justablethroughout, thus providing for the foldingofzvarious sized carton blanks on. the one machine, except different sized plungers are required; fourth, to provide ineans in connection with the folding device for automatically removing the carton after the same has been folded; and fifth, to provide an ap-- pulatus of this class which issimple and economical; of' construction, durable, easy to operate,jeasy to adjust and will'not readily deteriorate'or get out of order.

With these and other objects 1n. View, as will appear hereinafter, our invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter-described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this specification, in which: V

Figure l is a perspective View of the apparatus complete, shown open ready forthe placing of the carton blank, Fig. 2 is an open plan view of a conventional carton to be folded by said apparatus in the blank form before folding; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the carton after folding readyfor filling; Fig. 3 is atop or plan View of the apparatus minus the'plunger' andits operating mechanism; Fig. e is'a sectional View through t l: of Fig. 3 and showing said 19 117.: Serial Np. 17 31;.

pl uifgefhnd tie. I Y :7

venom; Fig; 5 is I a, view of th lunger 1; 6 i $9.0

the .mi'cldle- ,tliereofandjshownig ip .do hasrheel seclpc sitiqnof hinged-Si view. of s'aid 'plunger ligh y ,tfcmne js de Fig- 7 is'ajdetailed flan ,view offthe er;

med ate ql ihg deride f flit lepe Posithe outer'elid r a: sectiona View. i ht 'ans t r te tlirougl r-the middle thereof; ,Figllf s' a folding device; Fig. I2ji's1 an elevational View rf oFFic s ecimen-0110f Letters Patent; Pate ted Mar; 14, 192-2 .Arpli e 18, i i i flap f ld ng d vi e; F ggii0 is 3 a .41 front elevat onal view of the mner ndfiap at right angles thereto;- Fig. 13 is anfend;

view thereof; Fig. 14 is] a.- side elevational View fith' d ivingme hanism; ne -15 is. .asectional Vi w oni n nlarg js ale th gh 15-15 ofjEi'g. 3'; and Fi 161 an enlarged end view showing theiplunger in its "down position and the end Qfiap foldi gdevices in their osition whe the ,f d ngO 'erat Qn is completed, and. to be released and the carton discharged ;Fig. 17 I a trans.- Verse egi' n a y sec nalflvl w lefthea p rat'us throu h thefiucldle O hP11 and sh 'wm he.eartr afb ersicl se Fi 18jis' a similar longitudinalsectional View and Fig.1 is an.en a ged:d a ledy ie 6f the upper. ton disch rging apparat s- Generally, 'our apparatus consists. of a f ren e' refer *sn'nll-ar partsthroughoutthe several VIEWS.

fPQ t n f gish wingth f ar i i P unge 1w hene gat bl ifl; mo

ablelsupportsfi and l which carrythe inner endfiap closing} devices 53nd; outer end closing devices Gfand the intermediate "end flap closing device7 is secured intermediate" the devic and f6 1 a i'ilstab f llpports, Adj acent thetabl'e 2 none'side is. a stationary perpendicular foldingmemherfl and'on the opposite side ofthetable isjaspringcom trolled plate 10 for folding the sideofi'the carton carrying: the." cov'er, all 1 of whichare supportedon aimain't able ll which ispro-U ded wi h a ta s; anonjw is mp ted a bracket, 12, upon whichf'is mounted the motor 13. 'rhi m t-brie is provided with, a j main shaft 13? upon the jextendeol end of} which is secured a worm pinion 13 which en as s w mee ewhrhi prov d d-w th a cam groove jle The worm gearllis revd' lubly mounted onthe shaft-le ,."Pivotally mounted on the bracket 12 at 12 is one end of a leverlQVwhich is, provided witha lug 12 which engages the cam groove 14?, and pivotally connected to the extended end of said lever 12 is theconnecting rod 12 which extends upwardly andengages a, saddle 15.

shaft l4 is a clutch 14 adapted vto permit the revolution of the gear 14' while a portion of the shaft l l stands still. Secured on'the extended end of thisshaft 14" is, a wheel 14 which isprovidedwith a hole in which is mounted one end of the connecting rod 17,

whichzrod extends upwardlyand is pivotally connected to the saddle '17 which is secured to the double arms1i7 which are pivotally mounted on the sideframe at 17 The upper surface" ofthis'saddle 17 is'adapted to engage with the vertical pin 18 which extends upwardlyand is supported by a bracket 18, which is provided with a compression spring 18 tending to hold said pin downwardly against said saddle, and pivotally secured to said pin is a bracket 18, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the arm 18 which arm is secured to the bar a", so that when the shaft la revolves, rod 17 is moved up and down carrying the saddle l7, operating the pin 18 which; in turn moves the bar etwhich is pivotally mounted on rod 4 on a bracket 4? which is secured to the adjacent bar 19 which is reciprocally mounted on the frame 20. Itwill be here noted that this'bar 19 is provided with a screw 19*, the one end of which engages with a lug 19 secured to the frame 20 of the apparatus and said screw turns into an off-set portion 19 of bar 19 so that when said screw .19 is turned, the bar 19 is moved, thus providing for the adjustment of the position of the s upport 4;, relatively tothe table 2.. The support a consists oftwo bars, 4 and 4 and pivotally mounted on the bar 43 is one side of the plate 10, and

pivotally connected tothe back side of said plate 10 is a bolt 10 'which is provided with a compression spring 10 which rests against the-lug 10 which is secured to the bar 4", thus providing a spring tension for the plate 10 relatively to the bar 4 adapted to hold said plate off at an angle to bar 4:? but permitting it to spring back against said bar when sufficient pressurei'is brought to bear on said platefwhen folding the carton. It willrbe here noted that this plate 10 is adapted to fit against and conform to side member 1 On the bard v at an angle to conform to the side member 1 and pivotally mounted on the bar I d is this sideplate 10 supported by the support 4: permitting its pivotal movement relatively to the support 4: and it is held atan devices 5, '7, and 9 have performed their folding operations and thecarton is in'a partially folded condition, -K The-bar a is operated by the driving apparatus through the members 18, 18 and 18 and moves upon its pivotal-mounting 1 com- Pre g the p i g, 10 and the folding dev1ces6 are carried'along with the bar 4i and s I engage with the side of the carton which is between" the member-1 and the plate 10. i

Thesedevices 6 are movable to and fromeachother for adjustment.- The distance between them when adjusted'is slightly greater thanthe length of the carton side and the plate'lO just in front-of the carton side'which plate 10 is held at a proper angle to the'folding device' l by means of thespring 1 which is slightly stronger than the spring 10*. As

the downward movement ofthe plunger continues the opposite or outer ends of the levers c are thrust forwardly by reason of'their contact at their inner ends with the carton,

carrying with them the endportions of the side and turning them to a rightangle with the side and the movement continues until,

the centers of the folding devices are well past the outer'faceof the. carton." At this;

point the bar 4, plate 10, carton and member 1 are in parallel planes, the supporting device for the member 1 giving way,-per- "o o mitting the plate 10 to close against the plungerrl: and complete the'operation'.

Mounted between the bars 4; and 4 of said,

support are adjusting screws r which connect with the supports a upon which folding devices 6, thus providing for the adjustment these outer end folding, devices are adjustably mounted the outer end flap longitudinally on thejsupport 4 thus pro viding for the 'folding of the outerend flap of the different length cartons as desired.

Adjustably mounted" on the shaft 16, by

means'of a set screw 16, is an arm, 1?, in the outward extending'endwof' which is re ciprocally mounted a shaft '1 on the lower end of which is adjustably secured a socket 1,which is secured to the upper surface of the plunger 1. This plunger is arectangu- 'larly shaped hollow piece preferably composed of wood ofthe proper si aes to fi'tthe inside of the carton to be folded when in its folded condition. One of its sides 1 is hinged at its lower edge and secured to one side of the inner surface of the hinged side is a lug 1 to which'is pivotally connected a '2 I25 link 1 to the end of which is pivotally consaid' link is pi'votally connected to a lug 1*,

nected another link 1%, andthe other end of secured'to the lower surface of the top of Connected to wthisrlink 1 I *hold said rod 1 upwardly holdin'g links 1 and 1 in alignment, said roc 1 being pros vided with a )inin its lower end to re ulate its movement, but when sufficientpressure is brought to -;bear against the side 1, the

spring 1 is compressed and the joint be tween the two links 1" and 1 18 brokenand the free edge of said side 1*? moves up against the'plunger memberall aslsho'wn best by,

solid anddotted linesin Fig, 6 of the drawings; Mounted on the" opposite ends of this hinged side member I are metallic members on'the opposite ends o'f the plunger -1 are members 1* and '1, engaging with the end folding devices for properly folding the ends together; The table 2 is rigidly secured to'a verticalshaft 2 which shaft is reciprocally mounted in the frameQO, and on the lower extended end of said shaft is provided} a U member 2", which is provided with-a in 2 whiche'n a esthe-free end of a lever 2 which lever is provided with an extended lug 2 onthe extended end of which is secured the one end of a tension spring 2, the 'other end of said tension spring 2 is securedtothe frame 20, thus tending to hold the free end of the lever2 upwardly against the pin 2, tending to hold the table Q'aiid shaft 2 upwardly in-the position shown best in Fig. 1510f the drawings, but saidtable is adapted to be presseddownwardly by the a pressure of the plungerdescending with theshaft l6. The support 3 consists of a" rod 3 and another rod- 3 which are spaced apart and supported bymeans of bars 3 ,-one at each end, The rodr3 s pivotally mounted on lugs 3, extending from the frame 20 and secured to this rod-3" is an arm 3 which extends forwardly and 18 'pro-' 3 rocks the rod '3, thus rocking the support 3. Pivotally mounted at the outer end of the" arm 3 'isa bolt 3 wh1ch is provided with a COHIPIESSIOD spring 3, the one end ofwhich' rests against a lug 3 which is secured to table 2.

bars 21, which arejniduhtedlfir 51mm justment on the frame 20, and they are pro- Videdwv'ith'fl d w rdly extended portion 21 in which 'isscrewed the boltfll", which bolt is supported by a support 22 sec'ured to the frame 20, so that when thebolt 2-l is turned the bar 21 is shifted on the "frame,

thus moving the support" backward and for--- wardas desired, thus providing for the ad justment'ofthesupport 3as desired. Mounted on this rQd-B is the vertical folding mem- "her 1 9, which; is also shifted with the shift-ff ing of'the bar 2]., thus providingfor the proper adjustment of the member 9-and supe eer 3 for; folding different-1sizedcartons.

Mounted between the ro'ds 3 and 3 are] threaded bolts3 which are revolubly mount edin the supports 3 and their inwardends 7 screwed into; bracket-s '5 of the i'nsidejend' a .85 5

folding'device 5." Said inside folding device 5 is supporte'dby said brackets 5. which are shiftably mountedon the rods 3;and"3,- so

that by turning the screws 3 the inside end folding deviBQS may "be readily shifted end I' -ways on "the support 3, thus providing forthe'folding of different length cartons. Be-

tween said folding devices 5, andsh'iftably mounted on the frame 20, about. the middle,

of the table 2 on opposite sidesare the bars 8, which-are provided with adjusting'screws 8?, adapted for shifting the bars 8 longituQ dina-lly on theframe and secured to these 3 bars- 8 are the secondaryfor intermediate;

flap-folding devices 7, thus providiirg-for the shifting of said intermediate flap-folding devices relatively to'the table2, thus permit ting the adjustment of said; devices for! different length cartons.

' The. inner end folding n 7 devices 5, shown j best inFigs. 11, 12, and 1-3 of the drawings; each 'consist of an angle bar 5 to whiehis rigidly secured plate 5; Upon the plate 5 ris' pivota'lly mountedFthe member=-5 by Q means: ofra piir' 5?. This pin-is provided with a torsion spring .15 tending-tojhold '110 the member 5 in the-position shownQin} I Figs. 1-1, 12,' and13 ofthe drawingsj but" permits ythe' member- 65 {to I s'Jw-ing on said" 5 pin asshown by dotted lines in Fig. ;13 of? the drawings. i Secured to the member" 5' is a curved offseti member' 5 which is" adapted'to be engagedby the plunger which inits downward movement swings the -member '5 around into-engagement with the end' of the plunger; FAdjuStably mounted on this member 5 isa lug member 5 ,-which is adapted to engage the notch 23 andthe ente'rsthe notch 93 in folding thecarton. Thelug 5 is adjustably mounted on the -poin't23l, see Fig-fl, so that the point23 a bar 3, which is securedto thesupport 3" near-the middle of said support thus tend ing to'hold the support '3 an angle from the vertical, but when the shaft 2 is moved' downwardly it permitsthe'movement'of the upper portion ofjthe support toward the This support 3"is secured to the ally and said link 5: is pivotally mounted on the member 5 for. double adjustment of lugs It will behere noted that the angleb'ar 5" is adjustably attached to bar 5*.

The secondary or intermediate flap-folding device consists of a support"? secured to the bar 8, and .pivotally mounted on support 7 is a normally vertical member 7* held inwardly by means of a lug 7 on said member '7 provided with a compression spring 7 tending to hold said member 7* inwardly a little fromthe vertical but permitting its movement outw-a-rdlywhen -excessive pressure isbrought to bear'against it, adjustably mounted, both horizontally and vertically by'means of a horizontal slot in the member 7 and a'vertical slot in the member 7. Piv'otally mounted on this member 7, by means of the pin 7 ,is a 'support' 7 to which is secured the blade 7}, all as shown best in Figs/T, 8, and 16 of the drawings. I V -V The outside flap-folding device consists of an angle bar 6, which is secured to the member 4 and extends beyond the end of said member, some distance, Adjustably mounted on the angle bar 6 is a support 6 by means of a lug on said angle bar engaging a slot insaid support 6 -which permits its adjustment relatively to said support and it is held in position by means of the bolt (3 with a wing nut 6 Pivotally mounted onthis support 6" by means of the pin 6 is the member .6 to the one side of which is secured the blade 6 which is adapted to engage the outer end fla and hold'it in position so that the points23 engage the slots 23 in folding the carton. Mounted on the opposite side of the member 6 from the blade 6 is a Z-shaped member 6* which extends past the pin 6 and serves as a stop for the member 6 and the blade 6 when it has? reached a positionapproximately at right angles to the, member 6?, all as shown best in Figs. 9, 10, and 16 of the drawings.

Itwill be here'noted that the three folding devices at each end of the carton are constructed in cantilever form with a short portion overhanging the pivot on one=side,.the other side being provided with an extended bladelor lug for engaging purposes. These short over-hanging portions are adapted to be engagedby the plunger 1 with the carton thereon or thetable 2 in its movement downwardly and each is operated by such engagement, the blade ends being brought up into their proper position by means of the engagement of the carton in position on plunger 1. It will also be here noted that; the inner folding devices 5 engage the inner flaps which are provided with the.

slots 23 at the same time that the stationary folding :member 9' is forcing the portion supporting said flaps together withsaid flaps into a vertical position and. turning said flaps inwardly at right angles .to said supporting portion. takesplace as the plunger 1- is moving downwardly, then the secondary or intermediate folding device 7 engages the middle flaps while the'plunger .is still moving downwardly and places them in position against the flaps provided with the slots 23, the cutaway portion of the middle flaps leaving the slots uncovered and after the plunger 1 has reached the end of its down warn strokethe push rod 17 moves up-,

wardly by means of the cam on the main shaftcarrying witlr 1t theplate 10 and bar l and at the same time the foldingdevice 6' foldsthe flaps carrying the points 23? at a right angle to its supporting portion and in alinement with the flaps provided with the slots 23*, the portion supporting" theflaps carrying the, points 23* remaining in an angular position untilv the flaps are turned into alinement as described, then the further movement of the push rod 17 overcomes the tension of the spring 1 inside of the plun-' ger allowing the foldable-portion'of plunger to closecausing the points 23 to engage the slots23 guided by the lugs 5 on the This operation members '5. These lugs also hold the slots '23 open slightly to .receivethe points 23.

wardly over an arm 27 This arm-2'7 is secured to theuprights 27": which extend upwardly parallel with the shaft 16 in a vertical position and are provided with a bearing for supportingthe upper end of said shaft and said arm 27". Pivotally mounted on this arm 27 is a lateral bat-r27, upon which is pivotally mounted a bar 27 bymeans of a bracket 27? upon which is shift- -ably pivotallyrmounteda lever 27", the long end of which isjadapted to extend downmounted on the upperiend of the shaft 16 is, a horizontal arm 27 and to-said arm is secured a spring 27 which extends .downwardly and the'free endengagesthe inner surface of the back side of the carton when i folded up, and its short end is secured to the cable 27sso that when the shaft 16 raises and lowers, the long extended end of the lever 27. is. thrown outwardly carrying the carton whichhas been folded, with it and throwing it out of the way. When the shaft 16 lowers,

the extended end of the lever 27 immediately takes itscposition against the inner surface of the back'of' the carton when folded in position for'throwing out the carton when",

vthe shaft 16 rises again and the carton is released,thusproviding for automatically discharging the carton immediately afterfoldand end flaps of the carton blank and forcing; Adjustablymounted-on the upper end of the shaft 1 is an arm 27. which serves as a stop. for said lever 27 in its downward movement 1 Though we have'shown and-described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts',"we" do not wish to ,be limited to this particular. construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the purview of our invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set ,forthin the appended claims. a I

It is obvious that with this construction there is provided a carton folding apparatus which is adapted to fold different sizedcartons by simply adjusting allo'f the parts excepting the plunger 1 and .table 2, which plunger and table must bespecificfor the particular carton'to be folded. 'Thatjthere vis provided means for discharging the carton immediately after folding. "-That' thereis provided means to facilitatethe placing of. the carton in proper; position on the frame that the folding members all operate automatically with the movement 7 of the plunger for performing their vari'ousfunctions.

Having thus-described our invention, what we claim as new and desire .to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In'an apparatus of the class described, a phmger provided with a foldablevside adapted to fit the inner surface of a carton when folded and means operated by engagement of said plunger for engaging the sides in them'into folded position and means'for ad usting said side and flap engaging means whereby different .size cartons may: :be folded.

2 In an apparatusof the class described, a plungerwith a fixed vertical side and with fixed vertical ends and a-.c0llapsibleside,

means for. holding said collapsible sideopen.

and permitting its collapse under certain pressure, means positioned adjacent the sides and ends of'side plunger-adapted to engage the sides and ends of saidplunger in itsidownward movement, each ofisaid means carrying means for engaging the sides andfiaps of thecarton blank andfolding them into their proper position with the downward movement of said plunger.

,3. "In an apparatus of the class described, aplunger with a fixed vertical side and with fixed vertical ends and" collapsible side, means for holding said collapsible side open and permitting its collapse under certain pressure, means positioned adjacent the ends of said plunger adapted to engage thelends I of said plunger in its .downward'move'me'nt, each of .saidmeans carryin means for engaging'the end flaps of-t e carton blank and folding them into their proper position with the downward movement of said.

=portionsof the carton blank-x 1;

spring, a dapted; to be depressed; by 'Said plunger member for supportingthe bottom 4. In an apparatus of the class; described, 1

a plunger with a fixed vertical side and with fixed vertlcal. ends-and a icollapsiblexside,

means for holding said collapsibletside open and permitting its collapse under certain pressure, means positioned adj a'cent' the ends of said'plunger adaptediuto engage theends of said'plunger 1n ltsdownward movement, each of said means carrying means for engaging the end flaps of the carton blank. and 8 folding them into theirproperiposition with the downward movement of said plunger, a table-mounted on a vertical shafttheld' in-its upward position by a spring, adapted to be depressed by said. plunger J--member,i-and T means for; raising plunger-member: v i In an apparatus of the class described,

and f lowering; said aplunger with a fixed vertical side and with fixed vertical endsfand a collapsible side- '90- means for holding saidcollapsiblesideopen j and permitting its collapse under certain pressure, means positioned adjacent the ends of'saidplunger adapted toxengage the ends of said plunger in its downward movement, eachiof saidmeans-carrylng means for engaging theend flaps of the carton blank and folding theminto. their iproper position with *thedownward' movement of said plunger, a 7 table mounted'on a vertical'shaft heldin" its upwardl position by a spring-adapted to be depressed bysaid plunger memberfmeans for raising and lowering said. plunger-memher, and means inconnecti'on' withsaid rais- 'i'ng and loweringmeans and actuated thereby for engaging the folded carton and dis-' charging the same. 'f 1 p '6. In. ansapparatus of ,.a*classi.described,

aplunger provided with fiized vertical side "and with fixed vertical ends and aii1 1 hinged butwardly extendingside, means tending to hold said side outwardly but permitting it to be closed up against said plunger under certain pressure, meansIfOr engaging said extendeds'ide and closing the same at 1a certainposition with the downward movement of said plunger and means actuated by the downward movement of, said plunger forengagin'g the side'and end flaps of. the carton a-nd position. 1 v v 7 In an apparatus: of alclass described, a-plunger provided with a fixed vertical side and with'fixed vertical ends and a hill 'ed p, V

outwardly extending side, means. tending-p -t0-hold said sideoutwardly but permitting it to be closed up against said plunger under certain pressure, means for, engaging said extended 'sideand closing thesame atr a, V certain positioujwith the, downward. move-"1180 folding them: in -proper1,12 V

ment of said plunger, means actuated by the downward movement of said plunger for engaging the side and end flaps of the carton and folding them in interlocking posi tion and means for vertically reciprocating said plunger.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a plun er provided with afixed vertical side and with fixed vertical ends and-a hinged outwardly extending side,'means tending to hold said side outwardly but permitting it to be closed up against said plunger under certain pressure, means for engaging said extended side and closingrthe same at a certain position with the downward movement of said plunger and means actuated by the downward movement of said plunger for engaging the side and end flaps of the cartonand folding them in interlocking position, means for vertically reciprocating said plunger, and means in connection with each of said folding means for adjusting said folding means in position for varying length cartons. r r l 9. In an apparatus of the class described, a plunger provided with a fixed vertical side and with fixed vertical ends and a hinged outwardly extending side, means tending to hold said side outwardly but permitting it to be closed up against said plunger undercertain pressure, means for engaging said extended side andclosing the same with the downward movement of :said plunger and means actuated by the downward movement of said plunger for engaging the side and end fiaps'of the carton and folding them in position against said plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger upwardly and downwardly,'means in connection with each of saidfoldingrmeans for adjusting said folding means in a position for varying length cartons and a table member reciprocally mounted in the path of saidiplunger supported in its raised position by a spring means and adapted to be depressed by said plunger in its downward movement.

10. In an apparatus of the class desoribec aplunger provided with a fixed vertical side and with fixed vertical ends and a hinged outwardly extending side, means tending to hold said side outwardly but permitting it to be closed up against said plunger under certainpressure, means for engaging said extended side and closing the same with the downward movement of said plunger and means actuated by the downward movement of said plunger for engaging the end 7 fiapsof the carton and folding them in-posie tion against said plunger and means for reciprocating said plunger upwardly and downwardl andmeans in connection with each "of said folding means for adjusting said folding means in a position for varyof lugs; and recesses on each end of said plunger supported inv its raised position by a spring means and adapted to be depressed by said plunger in its downward movement and means secured to said plunger recipro I eating means adapted to engage the carton when foldingand discharge the same to one side with theraising of the plunger.

11. In an apparatusof the class described, an upwardly and downwardly reciprocating I plunger adapted to fit the inner side ofa folded carton and provided witha hinged side, means for holding said hinged side out wardly but permitting its movement inwardlyunder certain pressure, a plurality plunger, a plurality of pivotally mounted means actuated by the downward movement of said plunger for engaging the separate flaps of the carton and folding them into position by engagement with said lugs and recesses on the ends of said plunger, and means for reciprocating said plunger. 7

12. In an'apparatus of the class described, an upwardly and downwardly reciprocating plunger adapted to fit the inner side of a folded carton,'and provided with a hinged side, means'for holding said hinged side outwardly but permitting its movement inwardly under'certain' pressure, a plurality of lugs and recesses on each endlof said plunger,a plurality of pivotally mounted means actuated by the downward movement of said plunger-for engaging the separateflaps of the carton, and folding themzintoposition by engagement with said lugs and rue-""100 cesses on the ends of said plunger, means for reciprocating'said plunger and means engaging members, thereby adapting them for engagement wit-h different sized cartons;

13. In an apparatus of the class described, an upwardly and downwardly reciprocating plunger member adapted'tofit the inner side of the folded carton provided with a hinged side, means for holding said hinged SidfillO outwardl but permittingits movement in wardly under certainpressure, a plurality. of lugs and' recesses on each end of said plunger, a plurality of pivotally mounted meansactuated by the downward movement= of said plunger for engaging the separate flaps of the carton and folding them into position byengagementwith said lugs and recesses on the ends of said plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger and means'nlzo for adjusting said pivotally" mounted'fla'p engagingvmembers, thereby adapting them for engagement with different sized cartons and adjustable means secured on the frame of the apparatus for facilitating the peel-@ tioning of the carton before folding. V 14. In an "apparatus of the class described,

an upwardly and: downwardly reciprocating plunger member adapted to fit the inner s1 e of a folded cartoniprovided' with-e hinged side, means for holding said hinged side outwardly but permitting its movement inwardly under'certain pressure, a plurality of lugs and recesses on each end of said plunger, a plurality of pivotally mounted means actuated by-the downward movement of said plunger for engaging the separate flaps of the carton and folding them into position by engagement with said lugs and recesses on the ends of said plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger, means for adjusting said pivotally mounted flap engaging members, thereby adapting them for tion with the means for reciprocating said plunger for engaging the folded carton and discharging the same when released by the upward movement of'the plunger.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands at San'Diego, California, this llthday of June, 1917.

IRA SHAFER.

CHAS. A. SlVIALL. 

